Full Assist Resistance Machine

ABSTRACT

An architecture is presented that provides a full assist resistance device designed to assist users in weight training by allowing the users to start pushing and pulling exercises in full extension or full flexion positions, respectively. The device comprises a jack device and an actuating means for operating the jack device. The actuating means is mounted to a mounting plate and is in communication with the jack device. Generally, the jack device comprises at least one foot pedal that a user would manipulate to raise and lower the weight stack, and to adjust the resistance for moving the weight stack. Furthermore, the full assist resistance device would be used in conjunction with a weight-stacked type exercise machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/478,986 filed Apr. 26, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Currently, most weight-training machines start from a position of eitherfull elbow or knee flexion for pushing exercises or full elbow or kneeextension for pulling exercises. This can require lifters to move aweighted bar away from the body for pushing exercises or towards thebody for pulling exercises. In most instances, this starting positioncan represent the weakest point in the range of motion of the lift so,consequently, users are limited by how much weight they can handle. Inaddition, these starting positions can place an inordinate amount ofstress on the shoulder joints for pushing exercises and on the elbowjoints for pulling exercises, as well as on the knee joints of the lowerbody. An effective solution is necessary.

There is a need for an improved weight-training machine that allowsusers to workout with heavier weights with a reduced risk of bodilyinjury. The present invention discloses a full assist resistance devicewhich is used in conjunction with a weight-stacked type exercisemachine. The full assist resistance device enables users to start anypushing exercise in full extension or any pulling exercise in fullflexion. Thus, the device allows users to use heavier weights withoutthe need of assistance in getting the bar to the correct position. Asthis innovative device allows users to increase the amount of weightbeing used, users can create more resistance on their muscles, which mayresult in greater strength gains being realized by the users.Additionally, when starting in full extension and full flexion andperforming only partial reps, users can limit the stress placed on theirmajor joints, reducing the chance of muscle soreness and bodily injury.Users will appreciate the convenience and practicality that this deviceaffords.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises a full assist resistance device designed to assist users inweight training by allowing the users to start pushing and pullingexercises in full extension or full flexion positions, respectively. Thedevice comprises a jack device and an actuating means for operating thejack device. The actuating means is mounted to a mounting plate and isin communication with the jack device. Generally, the jack devicecomprises at least one foot pedal that a user would manipulate to raiseand lower the weight stack, and to adjust the resistance for moving theweight stack.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefull assist resistance device is used in conjunction with aweight-stacked type exercise machine. A user would specify the amount ofweight he or she wants to use and place a pin in the appropriateresistance plate of the weight stack. The user then positions thelateral bar to either a fully extended position or a fully flexedposition depending on the exercise desired and/or depending on theexercise machine being utilized. A user then presses the foot pedalwhich raises the entire weight stack. The user then pushes a second footpedal to lower a portion of the weight stack (i.e., only the amount ofweight selected remains in a raised position) or pulls up on the footpedal if only one foot pedal is used. Once the foot pedal is released,the user feels, and then has to work against, the resistance that wasselected. Once the lateral bar is at a fully flexed position, the footpedal is then pushed and the weight stack raises back to the startingposition. The user can then perform the desired push exercise, doing asmany repetitions as desired.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and B illustrate a perspective view of a prior artresistance-training device.

FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of a prior art weight stack ofthe resistance-training device.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a perspective view of a resistance-training devicein accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a weight stack of theresistance-training device in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear, perspective view of the weight stack of theresistance-training device in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 5A and B illustrate a perspective view of the foot pedal of theresistance-training device in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof.

In typical exercise machines presently manufactured, the startingposition for a user necessitates a concentric contraction for the firstmovement. Thus, for pushing exercises (e.g., chest and shoulderpresses), the user's arms will be flexed and in close to the body, andfor pulling exercises (e.g., bicep curl and lat pull-down) the arms willbe extended and further away from the body. This starting position ismechanically disadvantageous in that it puts a lot of stress on thejoints involved in the movement (either shoulder or elbow joints). Inaddition, the weakest point with most lifts utilizing this presentmachine configuration is at the beginning part of the lift. Thus, theuser has to work within the constraints of the weakest point in therange of motion (ROM), which affects the amount of weight the userselects.

In contrast, the disclosed full assist resistance device of the presentinvention would allow a user to start with their arms fully extended forpushing exercises and fully flexed for pulling exercises. Thus, thefirst part or half of the movement would involve an eccentric, not aconcentric contraction. An eccentric contraction is where the muscle iscontracting and stretched, and a concentric contraction is where themuscle is being shortened while contracting. Thus, in a pulling exercisea user would start with the lateral bar down, around shoulder height,and the first movement would be to resist raising the arms to anoverhead, fully extended position (i.e., an eccentric contraction).

As the first part or half of the movement would involve an eccentric notconcentric contraction, the user could use more weight because he or sheis not limited by the weakest point in the ROM which is now at theopposite end of the ROM from where he or she started the lift. Thus, theuser can select heavier resistances to work with without needing thehelp of a spotter. Heavier resistances means greater resistance iscreated on the muscle which may result in greater strength gains in themuscle.

Specifically, the present invention discloses a full assist resistancedevice, which is used in conjunction with a resistance-training machine.The full assist resistance device enables users to start any pushingexercise in full extension or any pulling exercise in full flexion. Theresistance-training machine can be any prior art exercise machine andgenerally comprises a support frame and a bench. Further, the machinecomprises a plate stack of resistance plates controlled by a pulleysystem and a lateral bar secured to the support frame. The lateral barcan be adjusted to a fully extended position or a fully flexed positiondepending on the exercises the resistance-training machine is designedfor. Furthermore, the position of the weight stack can be controlled bya foot pedal or other control means. The resistance-training machine canalso comprise free weights instead of a plate stack of resistanceplates.

Thus, the device allows users to use heavier weights without the need ofassistance in getting the weighted bar to the correct position. As thisdevice allows users to increase the amount of weight being used, userscan create more resistance on their muscles, which may result in greaterstrength gains being realized by the users. Additionally, when startingin full extension and full flexion and performing only partialrepetitions, users can limit the stress placed on their major joints,reducing the chance of muscle soreness and bodily injury.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a prior artresistance-training device (or machine) 100 designed to assist users inweight training. The device 100 is of conventional design andconstruction as is known in the art, and generally comprises a supportframe 102, wherein the support frame is designed for resting on a levelsurface, a plate stack 104, a lateral bar 106, and a bench 108. Thesupport frame 102 would generally be constructed of iron, steel,aluminum, etc. though any other suitable material may be used tomanufacture the support frame 102 as is known in the art withoutaffecting the overall concept of the invention.

Furthermore, the bench 108 is secured to the support frame 102 and actsto support a user (not shown) in a sitting position. The bench 108 cancomprise a back support 110 and/or pads (not shown) to further supportand provide comfort to a user in a sitting position. However, the bench108 can comprise any suitable accessory as is known in the art, such asarm rests, cushions, head rest, etc. without affecting the overallconcept of the invention.

The resistance-training device 100 further comprises a lateral bar 106secured to the support frame 102. The resistance-training device 100 cancomprise more than one lateral bar 106 depending on the wants and needsof the user, and the type of exercises performed. Theresistance-training device 100 can comprise any suitable number andshape of lateral bars 106 as is known in the art without affecting theoverall concept of the invention.

Furthermore as shown in FIG. 1C, the resistance-training device 100comprises a plate stack 104 comprising a stack of resistance plates. Auser would adjust the amount of weight desired for performing anexercise as is typically known in the art for exercise machines. Forexample, a user would place a pin, a key or other suitable device 114into a hole of a stack lifter 112, securing the desired amount of weightfrom the plate stack 104. The plate stack 104 would be connected to thedevice 100 via a pulley system 116, the pulley system 116 would be ofconventional design and construction as is known in the art.Furthermore, the resistance plates are typically constructed of castiron, though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture theresistance plates as is known in the art without affecting the overallconcept of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a perspective view of a resistance-training device(or machine) 100 comprising the inventive device (full assist resistancedevice) designed to assist users in weight training by allowing theusers to start pushing and pulling exercises in full extension or fullflexion positions, respectively. The device comprises a jack device 200and an actuating means (not shown) for operating the jack device 200,wherein the actuating means is mounted to a mounting plate 208 and is incommunication with the jack device 200. Specifically, the actuatingmeans comprises an actuator 210 or other type of motor for moving orcontrolling the jack device 200. The jack device 200 comprises at leastone of an electric, a pneumatic, or a hydraulic screw-type jack, or amore traditional pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder can be used to controlthe position of the weight stack 104.

The actuating means further comprises at least one of a button, a pedal,a lever, or other device 206 that a user would manipulate to raise andlower the weight stack 104. Further, two levers 206 can be used tomanipulate the weight stack 104, the first lever raises the weight stack104 and the second lever lowers the weight stack 104. Additionally, twoadditional levers can be utilized, the additional levers would adjustthe resistance for moving the weight stack and one lever would increaseresistance and one lever would decrease resistance for moving the weightstack 104. The levers or pedals could be positioned at the base of thedevice and controlled by a foot of the user. In contrast, the levers orbuttons could be positioned on the lateral bar 106 and controlled by ahand of the user.

Specifically, multiple levers can be used to manipulate the weight stackor a single lever. If a single lever is used, then a stirrup or othersimilar device can be used to retain a user's foot on the lever orpedal. In operation, the harder the lever or pedal is pushed, the fasterthe weight stack 104 would raise, if a user lets off the lever or pedal,then the weight stack would remain in its current position, and if auser lifts the pedal or lever up, the weight stack is lowered.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate a perspective view of the front and back of theweight stack 104 comprising the jack device 200 and actuating means 202mounted to the mounting plate 208. In operation, a user would manipulatethe lever, pedal, button, etc. which would activate the actuating means202. The actuating means comprises an actuator 210 or other type ofmotor for moving or controlling the jack device 200. As stated above,the jack device 200 comprises at least one of an electric, a pneumatic,or a hydraulic screw-type jack, or a more traditional pneumatic orhydraulic cylinder, or other similar device used to control the positionof the weight stack 104. Generally, the actuating means 202 comprises amotor 210 that turns an internal feed screw that extends a portion of anactuator rod 212 and contracts to lift the weight stack 104.

FIGS. 5A and B illustrate a perspective view of the foot pedal 206. Inoperation, a user specifies the amount of weight he or she wants to useand places a pin in the stack lifter. The user then positions thelateral bar to either a fully extended position or a fully flexedposition depending on the exercise desired and/or depending on theexercise machine being utilized. In this specific example, a user wouldposition the lateral bar to a fully extended position, such that thelateral bar will be positioned at chest level, out in front of the userand the user's arms are fully extended horizontally away from the body.A user then presses the foot pedal 206 which raises the entire weightstack. The more force a user puts on the foot pedal 206, the faster theweight stack will raise, this movement places no resistance on thelateral bar. The user then pushes a second foot pedal to lower a portionof the weight stack or pulls up on the foot pedal if only one foot pedalis used (i.e., only the amount of weight selected remains in a raisedposition).

Once the foot pedal is released, the user feels, and then has to workagainst, the resistance that was selected. For example, for a pushingexercise, the lateral bar is adjusted to a fully flexed position,wherein the lateral bar is positioned out in front of a user and noresistance is placed on the lateral bar at this time. Once the footpedal is released, resistance is placed on the lateral bar and the usermust work against the resistance (i.e., prevent the lateral bar frommoving towards the user's chest). Once the lateral bar is at a fullyflexed position, the foot pedal is then pushed and the weight stackraises back to the starting position. Depending on the force of thepush, (or if additional pedals are provided to control the amount ofresistance on the lateral bar), generally the more force the user usesin pushing the foot pedal, the faster the weight stack will be raised tothe starting position and the exercise repeated. The user can thenperform the desired push exercise, doing as many repetitions as desired.

Accordingly, the inventive device of the resistance-training machineenables the user to start any pushing exercise in full extension or anypulling exercise in full flexion. This allows users to use heavierweights without the need for assistance in getting the bar to thecorrect position (i.e., a spotter). Further, users can create moreresistance on their muscles, which may result in greater strength gainsbeing realized by the users, and can limit the stress placed on theirmajor joints, reducing the chance of muscle soreness and injury.

It is also contemplated, that the device can be used as an addition toany weight-stacked exercise device or nautilus type device as is knownin the art. Additionally, the device can be an integral part of theweight-stacked exercise device, and the device and the weight-stackedexercise device can be manufactured as a one-piece article, withoutaffecting the overall concept of the invention.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

1. A device for use with a stacked weight exercise device, comprising: a jack device; and an actuating means for operating the jack device, wherein the actuating means is in communication with the jack device.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the jack device comprises at least one of an electric, a pneumatic, or a hydraulic screw-type jack.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuating means comprises an actuator that moves an internal feed screw which acts to raise and lower a weight stack.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the actuating means further comprises at least one of a button, a pedal, or a lever.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the actuating means comprises at least two buttons, wherein a first button raises a weight stack and a second button lowers the weight stack.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the actuating means comprises at least two additional buttons that increase and decrease resistance for moving the weight stack.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one button, pedal or lever is controlled by a foot of a user.
 8. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one button, pedal or lever is controlled by a hand of a user.
 9. A device for use with a stacked weight exercise device, comprising: a jack device; and an actuating means for operating the jack device, wherein the actuating means is in communication with the jack device and comprises an actuator that moves an internal feed screw which acts to raise and lower a weight stack, and at least two pedals, wherein a first pedal is manipulated by a user to raise the weight stack and a second pedal is manipulated by the user to lower the weight stack.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the actuating means comprises at least two additional pedals that are manipulated by the user to increase and decrease resistance for moving the weight stack.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the pedals are controlled by a foot of a user.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the jack device comprises at least one of an electric, a pneumatic, or a hydraulic screw-type jack.
 13. A resistance-training system, comprising: a stacked weight exercise device; and a full assist resistance device comprising a jack device and an actuating means for operating the jack device, wherein the actuating means is in communication with the jack device.
 14. The resistance-training system of claim 13, wherein the stacked weight exercise device comprises: a support frame; a lateral bar secured to the support frame and adjustable to a fully extended or a fully flexed position; and a weight stack secured to the support frame via a pulley system.
 15. The resistance-training system of claim 14, wherein the support frame comprises a bench that supports a user.
 16. The resistance-training system of claim 15, wherein the bench comprises a back support to support a user in a sitting position.
 17. The resistance-training system of claim 14, wherein the jack device comprises at least one of an electric, a pneumatic, or a hydraulic screw-type jack.
 18. The resistance-training system of claim 17, wherein the actuating means comprises an actuator that moves an internal feed screw which acts to raise and lower the weight stack.
 19. The resistance-training system of claim 18, wherein the actuating means further comprises at least one foot pedal, that when manipulated, raises and lowers the weight stack.
 20. The resistance-training system of claim 19, wherein the actuating means further comprises at least one additional foot pedal, that when manipulated, increases and decreases resistance of the weight stack. 